Sunday, October 23, 2005

Years ago I really liked the game called Bing Bang Boing, I wanted to get one for the kids but since it's no longer on the market I decided to make one for them. The game involves setting up small trampolines so that a ball bearing can bounce along a number of them in succession.

Updated Dec. 19th: Added video:

The trampolines were made by stretching balloons over empty peanut cans. A package of twenty 12" helium quality balloons was purchased for a couple dollars at a local party store, and they were cut between the neck and the widest diameter, as indicated by the line in this photo:

The balloon should be stretched taut over the can and there shouldn't be an visible slack, but don't make it overly tight or the balloon won't last very long.

You'll want to start with at least four trampolines, I bought eight cans of the least expensive peanuts and put the nuts in one of those large plastic food containers.

We used a glue stick and attached construction paper on the outside of the cans to make them look a little better.

The 12" long ramp was constructed from 1/4" square dowels, with a 3/4" brace near each end. The ramp segments are 1/4" apart, I used scrap pieces of the dowel for spacers.

Update: To make it easier to tape down the bottom of the ramp, make the brace for that end 1-1/2" long, or just glue a piece that size next to the existing one if necessary.

The support for the ramp was made from two 7-1/2" pieces, a 7" and 1-1/2" piece:

The ramp rests on the support as seen here:

Although not shown in this photo, I recommend taping the support and the bottom of the ramp to the book to keep it steady:

Instead of making a wooden ramp, another option would be to use a hard bound book with a wide groove by the spine. The book to be used as a ramp is held at an angle by other books placed under one end.

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By setting books under some of the trampolines the bearing can be made to go in a circular or zigzag path.

We use 1/2" ball bearings, but if you don't have any, marbles will work just as well.

Something else to try is releasing multiple balls very close together (but not touching or they will collide at the first trampoline).

After the last trampoline you could place another can to catch the bearings, or stand small action figures to be struck by them.

It's a good idea to remove the balloons from the cans when they aren't being used, or else they will weaken and tear.

The balloons are stretched over the cans and are held in place only by their own elasticity. They stay in place fairly well but a couple of times they have worked themselves loose and flew off the can.

I found some small pieces of already cut wood at a woodworking store and used them instead of books to hold the trampolines at an angle. This looked better and worked well except that the cans would occasionally need to be adjusted since they moved easily while on the wood. It might be best to tape the cans to the wedges.

I couldn't find any reference to this on the web, but a long time ago I remember reading that balloons need to be kept in a plastic bag because naturally occurring ozone degrades the rubber, so I take them off the cans and bag them when not in use.

Other things to try with the game are to lower the back of the ramp to get longer jumps between the cans; and start with a can or two on some steps or stacked books, although too much pressure on the trampolines from high jumps can cause them to break.

I used to have Bing, Bang, Bong and it also included some circus-like obstacles (hoops and such). I beleive that one hoop was like a metronome. Could add to your kids enjoyment and maybe add some more science to the fun.

Funny - when I had Bing Bang Boing as a kid, the rubber drums were always breaking. We used to replace them with balloons just as you've done here. They break really quickly however, since the rubber is not even as strong as the original rubber for the drums. Nice to see people remember this great toy - it was my favorite as a kid, and no one I talk to ever remembers it.

Very cool. I will be going to find the materials that i need. Also instead of peanut cans i will try some red plastic cups...just tape them to the floor... they will be more inexpensive than peanut cans.

>Also instead of peanut cans i will try some red plastic cups...just tape them to the floor...

That might work, but sometimes it's necessary to adjust the distance of the trampolines because the balloons stretch a little from use. You could possibly put something in the cups to add some weight, maybe sand or gravel. Good luck with that.

Okay, I have been obsessed with this game. I wish I ahd it still. Mine had a motorized corkscrew that lifted the metalic marbles up to the platform where they fell. We had 3 drums, and YES! The rubber always broke. When it went to the end, it had a return track which fed the marbles into the corkscrew thing.Oh, how I want one.

Thank you for keeping this blog up for so long! I was looking for a something fun to do with marbles with my Cub Scouts and came across this. I built it in one evening using red plastic cups with about 2 inches of dirt in the bottom to give it weight and 9" balloons. My ramp was made out of a scrap piece of 1/2" PVC pipe which the marbles fit nicely into. The Cub Scouts will get to see it in a few days - I'll let you know how it goes!Thanks again. -John

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Very cool you remember the game... I was four years old at the time the game out. Now I am in my 40's and working with my father to show the kids how much fun this is. Been in goodwill and other second hand stores to find the right drums ect.

Excellent! I landed here because I asked google for trampolines. This is a nice project for an afternoon with the Kids and a nice find.I already tried to build it, but I have problems with the balloons which do not stick to the can the way they suppose to. Think there needs to be a workaround...